Three Enemalta employees who allegedly received money to help consumers steal electricity by bypassing their smart meters were arraigned yesterday.

The men, who work in Enemalta’s maintenance department but have been suspended, denied tampering with consumers’ electricity meters.

Marvin Cucciardi, 37, from Żurrieq, Abraham Muscat, 54, from Żabbar and Lewis Sant, 54, from Dingli are charged with damaging electricity meters, threatening a third party, accepting bribes and abusing their position.

They appeared separately before Magistrate Marseanne Farrugia and all pleaded not guilty. The court heard that Mr Cucciardi had cooperated with the police and had explained what was going on. The other two were less forthcoming, with Mr Muscat invoking his right to remain silent throughout. Mr Sant did not avail himself of this right and vehemently denied any involvement during questioning, the magistrate was told.

The men denied tampering with consumers’ electricity meters

Police Inspectors Daniel and Roderick Zammit, prosecuting, did not object to a request for Mr Cucciardi to be granted bail. He was, against a deposit of €2,000 and a personal guarantee of €10,000. His assets were frozen.

The situation was, however, different in the cases of Mr Muscat and Mr Sant, who had allegedly threatened one of the consumers who was one of the prosecution’s witnesses. Due to the concerns that they would tamper with evidence, Magistrate Farrugia remanded them in custody.

Lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for Mr Cucciardi. Lawyers Michael and Lucio Sciriha were counsel to Mr Muscat. Lawyers Carlos Bugeja and Keith Borg represented Mr Sant.

Eric Montfort, from Enemalta’s legal office, appeared parte civile, assisted by lawyers Franco Debono, Angie Muscat and Marion Camilleri.